MURBAI BLINDNESS: WATER NOT CAUSE OF EYE PROBLEMS — TARABA HEALTH COMMISSIONER
- Commissioner leads medical team to remote community for on-the-spot investigation
- Says preliminary findings do not link blindness to water source
- Admits Murbai urgently needs safe drinking water
- Affected children, adults already receiving treatment
- Community demands healthcare facility, clean water
- Medical investigation continues to establish exact cause
By Taraba News
The Taraba State Government has launched an on-the-spot medical investigation into reported cases of blindness and other eye problems among children and adults in Murbai community, with preliminary findings indicating that the community’s unsafe water source may not be responsible for the condition.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Gbansheya Buma, who personally led a team of medical experts to the remote community, said investigations so far had not established a connection between the water being used by residents and the reported eye problems.
The visit followed widespread reports, particularly on social media, alleging that several residents of Murbai had developed blindness after consuming or using unsafe water.
The reports generated concern over the health situation in the community and prompted the Commissioner and his medical team to undertake an on-the-spot assessment.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Buma cautioned against drawing conclusions before medical investigations are completed.
He said although the condition of the community’s water source requires urgent government attention, preliminary findings do not support claims that the water is responsible for the eye problems.
«“Our preliminary investigation shows that it is not the source of water, as people were speculating. We agree that the source of water is something that we should look into, but it is not the source of water that is responsible for the eye problems they are having,” the Commissioner said.»
Dr. Buma acknowledged that residents urgently require access to safe and clean drinking water and assured the community that the issue would be brought to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
The Commissioner stressed, however, that further medical assessment would be required before the government could make a definitive statement on what is causing the eye problems.
One of the affected residents, Daniel Nsikkai, confirmed that some affected children and adults had already been taken to Takum for medical examination and treatment.
According to him, tests were conducted on those taken for treatment, including himself.
«“We took the children affected to Takum for treatment, and tests were conducted on all of us who went there. I was diagnosed with an eye problem and treated. All the children were also treated and given medicine,” Nsikkai said.»
He appealed for sustained medical intervention for affected residents and greater government attention to the wider challenges facing the community.
The Community Head of Murbai, Peter Abpei, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and his medical team for travelling to the community to see the situation firsthand.
He appealed to the government not to allow the visit to end with assessment alone but to provide lasting solutions to the community’s health and developmental challenges.
«“I appreciate the Commissioner for coming to help us. We stay here in the village and don’t know who will help us. They have come to understand our challenges. I plead with the Commissioner not to forget us but to provide solutions to our plight,” he said.»
Murbai Youth Leader, John Akucin, also appealed to the state government to provide a reliable source of potable water and establish a healthcare facility in the community.
He said residents were prepared to cooperate fully with health authorities in efforts to determine the cause of the eye problems.
«“We are willing to support the Commissioner to bring a lasting solution to this ailment. We also plead for good water to be provided for us. We have been suffering from lack of clean water for domestic use. We will appreciate it if a solution is provided for us,” Akucin said.»
The Commissioner’s visit has now shifted attention from speculation over the cause of the reported blindness to the outcome of the medical investigation.
Health authorities are expected to continue examining affected residents and assessing conditions in Murbai before reaching a definitive conclusion on the cause of the eye problems.
For residents, however, the visit has also exposed another urgent concern: Murbai needs safe drinking water and improved access to basic healthcare, irrespective of what ultimately proves to be responsible for the reported eye conditions.
